The Times' Dodgers reporters give you all the news on the boys in blue

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt talks... sort of

March 6, 2010 | 1:55
pm

Provided an opportunity to clarify various accusations leveled at him in court filings, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt declined to do so, saying they were personal matters.

Among the allegations put forth by former team president Jamie McCourt: that the Dodgers planned to keep their payroll below last year’s level through 2018 while nearly doubling the average ticket price, that two of his sons draw a combined salary of $600,000 from the Dodgers even though they don’t work for the club, and that he didn’t pay any federal and state income taxes from 2004-09.

The issues would be addressed, he said, in future court filings.

Asked if he thought his growing image problem would adversely affect the club, McCourt replied, “Not at all.”

While current Dodgers President Dennis Mannion is in charge of the team’s day-to-day operations, McCourt said the decision-making process still ends with him.

McCourt said that General Manager Ned Colletti would be given the same kind of financial flexibility he enjoyed at last year’s trade deadline, when he acquired George Sherrill, Vicente Padilla, RonnieBelliard, Jim Thome and Jon Garland.